PORT BIENVILLE RAILROAD

COMBINED FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACT STATEMENT AND 

RECORD OF DECISION 

APPENDIX G:

REVISED DEIS SECTIONS

Prepared for:

Federal Rail Administration

Mississippi Department of Transportation

September 2019
This page intentionally left blank.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-1

APPENDIX G 

REVISED DEIS SECTIONS 

• Chapter 3.0 Alternatives Analysis: Section 3.2.3.2 Evaluation of the Southern Alternatives

(Alternative D section only)

• Chapter 4.0 Affected Environment:

− Section 4.15.4 Threatened and Endangered Species

− Section 4.15.4.1 Potential of Listed T&E Species to Occur in the Survey Corridor

− Section 4.18.3.4 Passenger Rail

• Chapter 5.0 Environmental Consequences:

− 5.14.2 Effects on Federally Listed Species

− 5.14.2.1 Birds of Conservation Concern (NEW)

− 5.14.4 Threatened and Endangered Species Effects/Impacts Summary (NEW)
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-2

Revised DEIS Section: Chapter 3.0 

3.2.3.2. Evaluation of the Southern Alternatives 

Alternative D – Compared to the other three options, this alignment would have the lowest estimated 

cost. From an operational standpoint, it would tie into the PBRR’s switch at the greatest distance 

providing operational benefits. It also would have lower wetland impacts than the other three options. 

This alignment parallels the Colonial Pipeline corridor and would also follow the former rail bed for over 

half its length. However, this option would have the potential to impact one to two residences with 

noise and vibration impacts and a new at-grade crossing would be introduced through the existing 

paved section of Old Lower Bay Road. This at-grade crossing would potentially impact the existing South 

Hancock Elementary School bus route increasing concerns for bus operations and safety. The two 

residences closest to Alternative D (on Old Lower Bay Road in the southern part of the project area) are 

205 and 632 feet away. Results of the vibration assessment (see Appendix D, Noise Vibration Report, 

from the DEIS) indicate that vibration impacts are projected to occur 169 feet from the proposed rail 

line. All the vibration impacts are at the northern-portion of the study area, near Nicholson. No vibration 

impacts are anticipated in the southern end of the project or at the two residences on Old Lower Bay 

Road. Severe noise impacts due to locomotive horns were determined based on the FRA locomotive 

noise model. From Lower Bay Road, severe impacts can be felt at 703 feet away from the proposed 

crossings; therefore, the two residences that are located 205 and 632 feet away from Alternative D 

would experience severe noise impacts. The alignment would also impact 16th Section Land. The 16th

Section Land was established from the Land Ordinance of 1785 to help fund public schools. The Project 

team recommended that this alternative be eliminated due to potential residential impacts and 

additional safety concerns associated with a new at-grade rail crossing and because of the additional 

travel time and distance associated with the longer alternative. MDOT, HCPHC, and FRA agreed to 

eliminate this alternative from further study.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-3

Revised DEIS Sections: Chapter 4.0 

ͶǤͳͷǤͶ

Plants and animals with federal and state classifications of Threatened or Endangered (T&E) species are 

protected under Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. § 

1539) and Mississippi state law (Mississippi Code 49-5-109).

Section 7 of the ESA requires federal agencies to consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) prior to any federal action regarding any actions that may adversely affect listed species or 

their habitat within the affected environment (87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. § 1536). In addition,

candidate species have sufficient information to warrant listing, but statutory protection is precluded by

higher listing priorities. Although not afforded statutory protection, given the typically long schedules of

many proposed projects, a project lead agency should initiate an informal conference with the USFWS 

if a candidate or proposed species may be affected. Mississippi state-listed species are managed 

through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks (MDWFP). 

The 1988 amendment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act mandates USFWS to “identify species, 

subspecies, and populations of all migratory nongame birds that, without additional conservation 

actions, are likely to become candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973.” 

Birds of Conservation Concern 2008 is the most recent effort to carry out this mandate. The overall goal 

of the Birds of Conservation Concern is to accurately identify the migratory and non-migratory bird 

species (beyond those already designated as federally threatened or endangered) that represent our 

highest conservation priorities.1 

The affected environment for T&E species are described in the following sections. A desktop survey was 

conducted for the Study Area, which for T&E includes the entirety of Hancock and Pearl River Counties. 

For further evaluation of potential T&E habitat, a 200-foot corridor that buffers the preferred project 

(rail) alignment was surveyed in the field. For additional information on the field surveys, refer to the 

Wetlands and Threatened and Endangered Species Report (Appendix C).

The USFWS’s Information Planning and Conservation (IPaC) online database and the Mississippi Natural 

Heritage Program (MNHP) online database, which contain publicly available information regarding federal 

and state protected species, were queried in June 2016 for the Study Area. The database queries 

identified 30 federally and/or state-listed plant and animal species with the potential to occur within 

Hancock and Pearl River Counties. One additional species was added to the IPaC database after 

publication of the DEIS. The Eastern black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensus) was proposed for 

listing as a federally threatened species on October 5, 2018.2

1

 USFWS. 2015. Birds of Conservation Concern. https://www.fws.gov/birds/management/managed-species/birds-of-conservation-concern.php; 

accessed 2/15/2019. 

2

 USFWS. 2018a. Eastern black rail, LATERALLUS JAMAICENSIS JAMAICENSIS. https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/birds/eastern-blackrail/#laterallus-jamaicensis-jamaicensis-section; accessed 10/5/2018.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-4

USFWS’s IPaC database also lists USFWS Migratory Birds of Conservation Concern (BCC). These species 

represent the highest conservation priorities of USFWS beyond those currently designated as 

threatened or endangered.3,4 The database queries identified 50 migratory BCC listed for Hancock 

County, 16 migratory BCC listed for Pearl River County, and 24 BCC listed with the potential occur in the 

project specific survey corridor.5

 

Based upon a review of the USFWS Critical Habitat Mapper, no record of critical habitat has been 

designated for any of the protected species within the Study Area. As defined in the ESA, critical habitat 

is any habitat given special protection for the benefit of the survival of a listed species. 

Based on literature review and the report entitled Endangered Species of Mississippi,55 no documented 

occurrences, except for the rainbow snake, of any state or federally listed threatened or endangered 

species or candidate species have been recorded within the Survey Corridor. 

4.15.4.1 Potential of Listed T&E Species to Occur in the Survey Corridor 

For each of the 31 federal and state T&E, and federal candidate plant and animal species, and migratory 

B listed within Hancock and Pearl River Counties, species habitat requirements, literature reviews, field 

observations, aerial photographs, and street level views (Google Maps) were reviewed to determine if 

potential suitable habitat exists within the Study Area. Migratory BCC were evaluated based on results of 

the field surveys and habitat requirements listed by All About Birds6

 and the Cornell Laboratory of 

Ornithology eBird Database7 for the Project. 

No protected species were observed during field reconnaissance. Habitats observations from the field 

survey were used to evaluate whether the 31 listed species would have the potential to occur in the 

Survey Corridor. 

Table 4.24 provides a summary of the 31 federal and state species and summarizes the findings for 

each, including brief habitat descriptions; whether suitable habitat exists within the Survey Corridor 

(Yes/No); whether there are known occurrences (Yes/No); whether critical habitat exists (Yes/No); and 

the potential for occurrence (High/Low/Not Likely to Occur).

3

 USFWS. 2018b. IPaC for Hancock County, MS, Pearl River County, MS, and the Port Bienville Survey Corridor. https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/; 

accessed 11/27/2018.

4 USFWS. 2008. Birds of Conservation Concern. United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird 

Management, Arlington, Virginia. 85pp. www.fws.gov/migratorybirds; accessed 2/5/2019.

5

 USFWS. 2018a. Eastern black rail, LATERALLUS JAMAICENSIS JAMAICENSIS. https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/birds/eastern-blackrail/#laterallus-jamaicensis-jamaicensis-section; accessed 10/5/2018.

6 The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. 2019a. All About Birds. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/; accessed 2/11/2019. 

7 The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. 2019b. eBird. Database of hotspots near Port Bienville, MS. https://ebird.org/hotspots; accessed 

2/11/2019. 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-5

Table4.24: Evaluation of T&E Species in the Survey Corridor

Common 

Name/Scientific 

Name

Federal 

Listing 

Status1

State 

Listing 

Status1

Habitat Description2

Suitable 

Habitat3

(Yes/No)

Known 

Occurrences4

(Yes/No)

Critical 

Habitat5

(Yes/No)

Potential 

to Occur6

Alabama 

(=inflated)

heelsplitter 

Potamilus 

inflatus 

T E 

Inhabits slow- to moderateflowing rivers with stable 

sand, mud and/or silt 

bottoms. In Mississippi, the 

heelsplitter still occurs in 

part of the Tombigbee River 

drainage.

Yes No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Crystal darter 

Crystallari a 

asprella

_ E 

In Mississippi, occurs in 

Bayou Pierre, Homochitto, 

Pearl River and Tombigbee 

watersheds; inhabits large 

creeks and rivers with clean 

sand and gravel substrates 

often near tributary 

confluences

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Ironcolor shiner

Notropis 

chalybaeus

_ E 

In Mississippi, it historically 

occurred along the coastal 

area of the state in coastal 

river drainages, Pascagoula 

drainage and Pearl River 

systems. Lowland streams 

with abundant aquatic 

vegetation, open swamp 

habitat, and/or areas 

draining densely canopied 

woodlands.

Yes No No Low

Pearl darter 

Percina aurora C E 

It is assumed extirpated 

from Pearl River drainage, 

now only occurring in the 

Pascagoula River drainage 

and its freshwater 

tributaries. Prefers slow 

flowing waters along the 

downstream edge sandbar 

point bars, pools and/or 

deep runs over bedrock 

substrate.

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Frecklebelly 

madtom

Noturus 

munitus

_ E 

In Mississippi, it occurs in 

major tributaries of the 

Tombigbee River and lower 

portions of the Pearl River 

drainage. Preferred habitat 

includes stable gravel or 

rubble riffles and rapids in 

main river channels and 

large tributaries

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-6

Common 

Name/Scientific 

Name 

Federal 

Listing 

Status1

State 

Listing 

Status1 Habitat Description2

Suitable 

Habitat3

(Yes/No)

Known 

Occurrences4

(Yes/No)

Critical 

Habitat5

(Yes/No)

Potential 

to Occur6

Atlantic

sturgeon (Gulf 

subspecies) 

Acipenser 

oxyrinchus

desotoi 

T E 

In Mississippi, previously 

collected in the Pearl River 

upstream of Madison 

County and in the Bogue 

Chitto River upstream to 

Pike County; found in all 

saltwater habitats, except 

during spawning season 

when found in major rivers 

that empty into the Gulf of 

Mexico, including the 

Mississippi River

and Pearl River.

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Smalltooth 

sawfish 

Pristis pectinata 

E _ 

Shallow waters very close to 

shore over muddy and sandy 

bottoms. They are often 

found in sheltered bays, on 

shallow banks, and in 

estuaries or river mouths. 

They prefer warmer water 

temperature and are known 

to ascend inland in river 

systems

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Louisiana 

quillwort

Isoetes 

louisianensis

E _ Slow-moving freshwater 

streams 

Yes No No Low

Eastern indigo 

snake

Drymarchon 

couperi

T E 

In the Southeast, indigo 

snakes are restricted to 

areas of xeric pine-oak 

sandhills, which are usually 

inhabited by gopher 

tortoises. These snakes use 

gopher tortoise burrows as 

shelter during the winter 

and during the warmer 

months for nesting and 

refuge from intense summer 

heat.

Yes No No Low

Southern 

hognose snake

Heterodon 

simus

_ E 

Habitat includes open or 

sparsely wooded dry areas 

with deep sandy or sandyloam soils.

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Black pine 

snake Pituophis 

melanoleucus 

lodingi

T E 

14 counties in southern 

Mississippi; inhabits mature 

longleaf pine forests with 

sandy soil, an open canopy, 

moderately fire suppressed 

midstory, and a thick grassy 

understory

Yes No No Low

Rainbow snake

Farancia 

erytrogramma

_ E 

Inhabits rivers, streams,

springs, ponds and lakes 

associated with soils which 

are sandy enough to allow it 

to burrow

Yes No No Low
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-7

Common 

Name/Scientific 

Name 

Federal 

Listing 

Status1

State 

Listing 

Status1 Habitat Description2

Suitable 

Habitat3

(Yes/No)

Known 

Occurrences4

(Yes/No)

Critical 

Habitat5

(Yes/No)

Potential 

to Occur6

Gopher tortoise

Gopherus 

polyphemus

T E 

Dry, sandy uplands, such as 

oak-sandhills, scrub, pine 

flatwoods and coastal dunes 

of the southeastern United 

States.

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Ringed map 

turtle 

Graptemys 

oculifera

T E 

Native to the Pearl River 

watershed of Mississippi and 

Louisiana; requires structure 

on which it can safely bask 

protected from predation 

and suitable nesting habitat 

(large, high sandbars 

adjacent to a 

river).

No No No Low

Kemp’s ridley 

sea turtle

Lepidochelys 

kempii

E E 

Warm bays and coastal 

waters; tidal rivers; 

estuaries; sea grass beds; 

sandy coastal beaches are 

used for nesting

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Leatherback sea 

turtle

Dermochelys

coriacea

E E 

Open ocean; deeper waters 

of the Gulf and coastal bays; 

coastal beaches and barrier 

islands suitable for nesting

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

Loggerhead sea 

turtle

Caretta caretta 

T E 

Marine open waters, inshore 

areas such as bays lagoons, 

salt marshes, creeks, ship 

channels, and mouths of large 

rivers; sandy coastal beaches 

are used for nesting

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Hawksbill sea 

turtle 

Eretmochelys 

imbricate 

E E 

Warm bays and shallow 

portions of oceans; seagrass 

beds; estuaries; mainland 

beaches and islands used for 

nesting

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Peregrine falcon 

Falco peregrinus DL E 

Known to migrate through inland 

Mississippi and along the Gulf 

Coast, occasionally wintering on 

the coast. Also occurs in a wide 

variety of habitats including 

Arctic Tundra, dense forested 

areas and coastal cliffs.

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Piping plover 

Charadrius 

melodus 

E7T8 E 

Wintering habitat - open, 

sparsely vegetated coastal 

beaches and sandy mud flats; in 

Louisiana, habitat includes 

beaches and mudflats of barrier 

islands in southeastern coastal 

Parishes

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-8

Common 

Name/Scientific 

Name 

Federal 

Listing 

Status1

State 

Listing 

Status1 Habitat Description2

Suitable 

Habitat3

(Yes/No)

Known 

Occurrences4

(Yes/No)

Critical 

Habitat5

(Yes/No)

Potential 

to Occur6

Southeastern 

snowy plover 

Charadrius 

nivosus 

_ E 

In Mississippi, nests on the 

barrier islands and occasionally 

on mainland beaches in 

Harrison County. Any plovers 

breeding in Mississippi are 

assumed to be year-round 

residents. Inhabits expanses of 

flat, dry sand along seacoast 

beaches and forages at the 

edge of the water or on sand 

flats at tidal creeks

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Red knot 

Calidris canutus 

rufa

T _ 

Wintering habitat – intertidal 

marine habitats, especially near 

coastal inlets, estuaries, and 

bays, or along resting 

formations

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Red-cockaded 

woodpecker 

Picoides borealis

E E Older, mature pine forest Yes No No Low

Wood stork 

Mycteria 

americana 

T E 

In Mississippi, found along 

western edge of state in 

counties bordering the 

Mississippi River and some 

along the eastern edge of the 

state. Freshwater and estuarine 

wetlands, primarily nesting in 

cypress or mangrove swamps 

using sloughs or swamps for 

foraging habitat.

Yes No No Low

Brown pelican 

Pelecanus 

occidentalis 

DL E 

The brown pelican has been in 

decline along the Gulf Coast 

since the 1960s and is now 

protected. In Mississippi, they 

are an uncommon but regular 

visitor. They nest and forage 

from barrier islands as far as 12 

miles from the coastline.

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Black bear Ursus 

americanus DL E 

In Mississippi, found in counties 

along the Mississippi River, 

lower Pearl River and 

Pascagoula watersheds

Yes No No Low

Florida panther 

Puma concolor 

coryi 

E E 

Presumed extirpated from 

Mississippi; inhabits mixed 

swamp forests and hardwood 

hammocks, less frequently 

occurring in upland pine forests 

and pine savannahs.

Yes No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Fin or finback 

whale 

Balaenoptera 

physalus

E Open Ocean No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Humpback whale 

Megaptera 

novaeangliae

E _ Open Ocean No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-9

Common 

Name/Scientific 

Name 

Federal 

Listing 

Status1

State 

Listing 

Status1 Habitat Description2

Suitable 

Habitat3

(Yes/No)

Known 

Occurrences4

(Yes/No)

Critical 

Habitat5

(Yes/No)

Potential 

to Occur6

West Indian 

manatee 

Trichechus 

manatus 

E E 

In Mississippi, observed at a 

number of sites inshore along 

the Mississippi coast. Inhabits 

warm, marine open water, bays, 

and rivers where submerged 

aquatic and floating vegetation 

is found for foraging

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur 

Eastern black 

rail (Laterallus 

jamaicensis 

jamaicensis) 

C _ 

Preferred habitat for the Eastern 

black rail is typically salt and 

brackish marshes with dense 

cover 

No No No Not Likely 

to Occur

1 E = Endangered; T = Threatened; C = Candidate species; DL = Delisted; - = not listed 2 All species descriptions, preferred habitat, and location of known occurrences are summarized from the IPaC database (Federal species) and 

from a report entitled Endangered Species of Mississippi56. 3 Suitable habitat determined based on field observations. 4 Known occurrences based on desktop literature review for the study area. 

5 Critical habitat based on USFWS IPaC database.

6 Potential to Occur: This classifies the likelihood of potential to occur within the Survey Corridor. Not likely to occur = the Survey Corridor may 

contain suitable habitat; however, the current known range and distribution data available does not include the Survey Corridor; Low = the 

Survey Corridor is within the breeding and/or winterrange of the species, suitable habitat is present, butthere are no documented occurrences of 

the species within the Survey Corridor; High = suitable habitat is present and occurrence in the Survey Corridor is documented by MNHP or 

other credible sources 7 Only the population within the Great Lakes Watershed 8 All populations except the Great Lakes Watershed

An initial T&E species field survey was conducted in March 2016. In the days prior to the first field survey, 

Louisiana and parts of Southwest Mississippi experienced record rainfall and flooding.57 The Survey 

Corridor is situated within the Pearl River Basin. Due to flooding, the Pearl River experienced its second 

highest crest in history of 20.35 feet on March 14, 2016, the day fieldwork began.58 Flood stage for the 

Pearl River is 14 feet.59 The heavy rainfall and flood stage of the Pearl River caused flooding throughout 

the extent of the survey area and conditions may have been wetter than normal. During a second field 

survey for the southern portion of the preferred rail alignment in June 2016 under normal conditions, 

portions of the Survey Corridor were still heavily saturated or ponded with standing water varying 

between 3 to 12 inches. 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-10

4.18.3.4 Passenger Rail 

Amtrak, also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, currently operates intercity 

passenger rail service within Mississippi. Daily passenger rail service between New Orleans and Chicago 

is provided along Kansas City Southern (KCS) track via the City of New Orleans. Passenger rail service is 

also provided between New Orleans and New York via the Crescent. The Crescent route runs along NS 

mainline track within the Study Area. Each of these Amtrak routes consists of one train per day in each 

direction. 

Prior to Hurricane Katrina (August 2005), Amtrak operated intercity passenger rail service between New 

Orleans and Florida via the Sunset Limited. The route followed CSX’s single-track mainline through 

Mississippi, including a small portion of the study area. Since then, Amtrak has completed several 

studies (including ridership projections, revenue forecasts and infrastructure improvements) to explore 

options to resume passenger rail service. 

In the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Section 11304, Gulf Coast Working Group 

directed the Secretary of Transportation to convene a Gulf Coast Working Group (GCWG) to evaluate 

and submit a report to Congress on the restoration of intercity passenger rail service in the Gulf Coast 

region—FRA served as chair of the GCWG. The restoration of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast 

is a key initiative among several states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. On 

February 18, 2016, representatives from the FRA, Amtrak, CSX, state Departments of Transportation, 

elected officials, and the Southern Rail Commission, all members of the GCWG, embarked on a two-day 

Gulf Coast Passenger Rail Train Trip—the first passenger rail service since 2005 (Southern Rail 

Commission 2016). Starting at the Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans and terminating in 

Jacksonville, Florida, thousands of enthusiastic residents and community groups greeted the train at 

each of the 14 stations along its journey, further demonstrating support for passenger rail service for 

both mobility and economic reasons. 

As stated in the GCWG’s July 2017 Report to Congress8 (GCWG Report), its goal was to “provide 

sufficient, reliable information to be the starting point for restoring passenger rail service”, along with 

the objective of defining “the restored intercity passenger rail service in a manner that will ultimately 

achieve a new and improved schedule (timetable), increasing frequency and improving reliability 

compared to its historic counterpart, and operate without unreasonably impairing CSX’s freight 

operations.” The GCWG Report included a wide range of identified capital improvements from CSX, 

Amtrak, and FRA. In short, CSX’s recommendation included the most significant amount of 

improvements (including replacing two single-track drawbridges and one two-track drawbridge with 

new bridges that have an additional track, and approximately 180 miles of additional capacity through 

new sidings, siding extensions, second main track, etc.), Amtrak recommended a phased approach with 

capacity improvements in certain locations with notable operations constraints, and FRA identified 

improvements also in certain locations to benefit rail freight services and accommodate passenger 

service. Since there are a range of varying recommended improvements, GCWG recognized a critical 

next step is for CSX and Amtrak, primarily, to verify and detail the recommended improvements, 

8 The GCWG Report is located on FRA’s eLibrary website - Report: https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L18769 ; Appendices: 

https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L18771 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-11

especially improvements for the New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama segment due to the higher volume of 

freight operations between these cities compared to points east. See the GCWG Report for more details. 

CSX’s route through Mississippi also comprises a portion of the Gulf Coast Corridor that was federally 

designated as a high-speed rail corridor in 1998 and further extended in 2000. Between Houston and 

Atlanta, total mileage for this designated corridor is 1,025 miles. FRA’s Vision For High-Speed Rail in 

America, High-Speed Rail Strategic Plan9

, dated April 2009, defines emerging and regional high-speed 

corridor services as those with operating speeds up to 90 to 110 mph and 110 to 150 mph, respectively, 

on shared and dedicated track in corridors of 100 to 500 miles. The service proposed in the GCWG 

Report is not high-speed rail, despite operating on a designated high-speed rail corridor, and would 

therefore not be held to the aforementioned requirements regarding emerging and regional high-speed 

corridor services. 

In April 2018, Amtrak sent a letter to CSX requesting its assistance and engagement in finalizing plans to 

restore Gulf Coast passenger rail service, starting with the New Orleans to Mobile segment. CSX 

responded with a letter, also in April 2018, and the parties continue to negotiate. However, as of the 

date of this final EIS document, the actual restoration of passenger rail service is not imminent because 

various agreements, including an operating agreement, need to be executed and capital improvements 

need to be made. 

9 Source: https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/details/L18234#p1_z5_gD_kVision%20For%20High-Speed%20Rail%20in%20America 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-12

Revised DEIS Section: Chapter 5.0 

ͷǤͳͶǤʹ	Ǧ

Several of the federally-listed and candidate species would not occur in or near the Study Area due to 

lack of habitat. These species that have no known occurrences include the pearl darter (Percina aurora),

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), smalltooth sawfish (Percina aurora), gopher tortoise 

(Gopherus polyphemus), ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera), Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys 

kempii), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), 

Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), piping plover 

(Charadrius melodus), and red knot (Calidris canutus ruga), and Eastern black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis 

jamaicensis. With the exception of the Eastern black rail, these federally listed species have been dismissed 

from further discussion since they are not likely to occur within the study area. Since the Eastern black rail 

was proposed for listing in October 2018, a species assessment has been included as part of the Project. The Project 

teamrecommended that the proposed Project would have no effect on the Eastern black rail due to lack of 

potential suitable habitat in the Survey Corridor.

Consultation with USFWS dated July 15, 2019, confirms that habitat for the eastern black rail does not 

occur in the project area; therefore, the proposed project will have “no effect” on the eastern black rail 

or its habitat. 

The following seven federally listed species may occur in or near the Study Area and are listed in Table

5.11. However, it has been recommended in the Draft Wetlands and Threatened and Endangered 

Species Report that the proposed Project would have no effect on the Alabama (=inflated) heelsplitter 

(Potamilus inflatus). Also, it was determined that the proposed Project may effect, but is not likely to 

adversely affect the Louisiana quillwort (Isoetes louisianensis), eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon 

couperi), black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides 

borealis), wood stork (Mycteria americana), and the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi). The Draft 

Wetland and Threatened and Endangered Species Report is appended to the DEIS as Appendix C. 

Consultation with USFWS dated July 15, 2019, confirms that the proposed project “may affect, but is not 

likely to adversely affect” the following listed species: the endangered Louisiana quillwort (Isoetes 

louisianensis), threatened Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), threatened black pine snake 

(Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi), endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), threatened 

wood stork (Mycteria americana), and endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi).

Table 5.11: Effects on Listed Federal Species with Potential Suitable Habitat in the Survey Corridor 

Common Name/ Scientific 

Name

Federal

Status1

State

Status1

Potential Habitat 

Present?

Anticipated Effects

Determination2

FEDERAL AND/OR STATE-LISTED SPECIES

Alabama (=inflated) 

heelsplitter 

Potamilus inflatus

T E Yes No effect 

Louisiana quillwort

Isoetes louisianensis E - Yes May affect; not likely to adversely affect
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-13

Common Name/ Scientific 

Name

Federal

Status1

State

Status1

Potential Habitat 

Present?

Anticipated Effects

Determination2

Eastern indigo snake

Drymarchon couperi T E Yes May affect; not likely to adversely affect

Black pine snake

Pituophis melanoleucus 

lodingi

T E Yes May affect; not likely 

to adversely affect

Red-cockaded woodpecker

Picoides borealis E E Yes May affect; not likely to adversely affect

Wood stork

Mycteria americana T E Yes May affect; not likely to adversely affect

Florida panther

Concolor coryi E E Yes May affect; not likely to adversely affect 1 E = Endangered; T = Threatened; C = Candidate species; DL = Delisted; - = not listed 2 Federal species = No effect or May affect; Not likely to adversely affect 

All species descriptions, preferred habitat, and location of known occurrences are summarized from the 

IPaC database (Federal species), and from a report entitled Endangered Species of Mississippi104, and from 

USFWS species descriptions.10 

Alabama Heelsplitter (Threatened). The inflated heelsplitter has an oval, compressed to moderately 

inflated, thin shell. The valves may gape anteriorly. The umbos are low, and a prominent posterior wing 

is present that may extend anterior to the beak in young individuals. The shell is brown to black and may 

have green rays in young individuals.11

The preferred habitat of this species is soft, stable substrates in slow to moderate currents. It has been

found in sand, mud, silt and sandy gravel, but not in large gravel or armored gravel. It is usually collected 

on the protected side of bars and may occur in depths over 20 feet. The occurrence of this species in silt 

may not indicate that the life cycle can be successful in that substrate. Adult mussels may survive limited 

amounts of silt where juveniles would suffocate. The heelsplitter has been known to use the freshwater 

drum as a suitable host for its eggs; therefore, it could potentially be found in any river system the drum 

inhabits. 

During field reconnaissance, the largest stream encountered was Bayou LeCroix, an outlet stream of the 

Bay St. Louis. The segment of Bayou LeCroix located within the Build Alternative Corridor is relatively 

narrow, but does have slow to moderate currents and likely a silty/clay substrate. No sand bars are 

present in this segment and the depth of Bayou LeCroix is less than 20 feet. Although freshwater drum 

species (host) may be present in Bayou LeCroix, the heelsplitter has not been known to occur in this 

stream system/area. Recently, this species has only been collected attwo locations on the Pearl River in

Mississippi and in the West Pearl River in Louisiana. It still occurs in the Amite River in Louisiana and 

10 USFWS. 2018a.Eastern black rail, LATERALLUS JAMAICENSIS JAMAICENSIS. https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/birds/eastern-blackrail/#laterallus-jamaicensis-jamaicensis-section; accessed 10/5/2018. 

11 USFWS, Environmental Conservation Online System, https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=F01O; 

accessed 10/06/2017.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-14

parts of the Tombigbee River drainage in Mississippi.12 It is anticipated that a finding of no effect would 

be made for the Alabama (=inflated) Heelsplitter. 

Louisiana Quillwort. The Louisiana quillwort is a small, semi-aquatic, facultative evergreen plant with 

spirally-arranged leaves (sporophylls) arising from a globose, two-lobed corm. The pliant, hollow leaves 

are transversely septate and measure 0.12 inch wide and up to 16.0 inches long. These little plants are 

valuable indicators of stream health. To date, 8 populations occur in Louisiana, 3 populations in 

Alabama, and 30 populations in Mississippi. It was not until 1996 that Louisiana quillwort plants were 

verified in Mississippi. Most Mississippi colonies of quillwort are found in the DeSoto Ranger District of 

the DeSoto National Forest (Forrest, Perry, Stone, Harrison, and Jackson counties) with a smaller cluster 

of sites in North-Central Hancock County. One colony is known from Pearl River County. 

Louisiana quillworts grow in mineral soil, usually light grey in color, in bottomlands that are periodically 

washed free of leaves and debris. Overstory trees are typically laurel oak, red maple, tuliptree, and 

swamp tupelo. Pine trees are only occasionally observed, but they may have been more common, as

large old pine stumps are frequently observed around quillwort populations.

The Louisiana quillwort was listed as an endangered species by the USFWS in 1992 before populations 

were discovered in Mississippi. Although the majority of known Mississippi colonies are found on public 

land, various land uses, including certain silviculture activities, military training, and some recreational 

activities, as well as natural alterations arising from impoundment of streams, may contribute to 

adverse impacts on quillwort habitat. Activities which negatively affect hydrology, water quality, and/or 

substrate stability could threaten population persistence in its habitat. 

Suitable habitat for the quillwort is present within the Survey Corridor; however, the health of the 

stream segments surveyed were in decline due to silviculture practices, pollution, and debris. Overhead 

canopy of the streams were primary pine and hardwoods, though not specifically the preferred 

hardwood canopy species of the quillwort. 

The optimal survey window for the Louisiana quillwort is November through May. The T&E survey was 

conducted in March/April 2016, during the optimal field season for the species, and again in June 2016. 

The natural hydrology had been heavily altered in the survey area due to silvicultural activities, including 

ditching, rowing and logging within the numerous pine plantations that account for most of the Survey 

Corridor. Additionally, while the species lives in water or very wet habitats, due to record rainfall and 

flooding many of the areas within the Survey Corridor were extremely wet with water as much as three 

to four feet deep during the March/April species surveys. During the second field visit for the southern 

alignment in June 2016 under normal conditions, portions of the proposed corridor were still heavily 

saturated or ponded with 3 to 12 inches of standing water in areas. Due to the site conditions—

specifically the silvicultural activities—it is unlikely the Louisiana quillwort inhabits the on-site streams, 

and no quillwort was observed during field observations. It is anticipated that a finding of may affect, 

not likely to adversely affect will be made for the Louisiana quillwort. Additional surveys will be 

12 Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. 2014. Endangered Species of Mississippi. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, 

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, Mississippi.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-15

conducted prior to construction during the optimal survey window and in normal site conditions to 

verify no species are within the construction limits. 

Eastern Indigo Snake. The eastern indigo snake is a non-venomous, black snake. It is the longest snake 

native to the United States, ranging in size from 60 to 84 inches, and is entirely shiny bluish-black color, 

including the belly. The chin and sides of the head are usually colored reddish or orange-brown. Juvenile 

indigo snakes look very similar to adults, but have much more red on their heads. Indigo snakes are

sexually dimorphic, with males growing to larger lengths than females. 

Eastern indigo snakes are restricted to Florida and southern areas of Georgia, Alabama, and 

Mississippi. Until relatively recently, all indigo snakes in the U.S. were considered to be the same 

species, D. corais.

In the southeast, indigo snakes are restricted to areas with dry sand ridges and pine-oak sandhills

(uplands), dominated by pines (primarily longleaf) and oaks. Gopher tortoises usually inhabit the areas 

where the eastern indigo snake is found. These snakes use gopher tortoise burrows as shelter during the 

winter and during the warmer months for nesting and refuge from intense summer heat. During the 

active season, indigo snakes may move long distances and often forage along wetland margins. 

Indigo snakes are active strictly by day. During the summer they prefer wetland edges where prey is 

abundant, but move to drier habitats in the winter. Indigo snakes breed in the winter and are more

active in cold weather than most other snakes. When cornered, they may flatten their heads, hiss and 

vibrate their tails, which produces a rattling sound. Despite these intimidating acts, the indigo snake 

rarely bites. Indigo snakes regularly feed on mammals, birds, frogs and other snakes, including

rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. Also, these snakes will occasionally feed on young gopher tortoises. 

In the past, periodic growing season fires created excellent upland habitat for the gopher tortoise, the 

presence of which is important to the Indigo snake in Mississippi. In recent years, fires have been

excluded from formerly suitable habitat and burning is primarily performed in the dormant season; this 

sort of burning does not effectively control proliferation of hardwoods and brush. In parts of its range, 

this species has been adversely affected by the “gassing” of gopher tortoise burrows, a practice illegal in 

Mississippi. The last specimen actually collected in Mississippi was taken in 1939, and there have been 

no verified observations of natural populations of the Indigo snake in Mississippi since the 1950s.13

Suitable habitat exists for the eastern indigo snake in the Survey Corridor, particularly along wetland 

edges and in the summer months. They usually prefer pine oak sandhills usually inhabited by gopher 

tortoises. The eastern indigo snake uses the gopher tortoises’ burrowsfor shelter during winter. Due to

the low probability of gopher tortoises to inhabit the Survey Corridor, the eastern indigo snake may be 

restricted to the wetland areas where prey is abundant. However, due to lack of observation of the 

species in Mississippi since the 1950s, it may be extirpated. It is anticipated that a finding of may affect, 

but is not likely to adversely affect will be made for the eastern indigo snake.

13 Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. 2014. Endangered Species of Mississippi. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, 

Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, Mississippi.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-16

Black Pine Snake. The black pine snake is a large dark brown to black snake that prefers to inhabit 

mature, longleaf pine forests, similar to the gopher tortoise, with sandy soil, an open canopy, 

moderately fire-suppressed midstory and a thick grassy understory. Studies have shown that the black 

pine snake is usually found in rotting pine stumps and are located underground two-thirds of the time. It

is considered critically imperiled and in decline along with its preferred habitat of longleaf pine forests due 

to timbering and conversion to agriculture. 

Although the black pine snake has been known to occur in 14 counties within southern Mississippi, 

(excluding Hancock County) the species is now extremely rare over most of the historic range and has

been extirpated from Louisiana and Lauderdale County, Mississippi. It is still relatively common within 

DeSoto National Forest in Mississippi. A recent study commissioned by USFWS found that 31 percent of

historical black pine snake population segments have been extirpated and that another 26 percent are 

in serious jeopardy; the main reason for the decline being habitat destruction and fragmentation. In

recent years, fires (controlled burning) has been excluded from some formerly suitable habitats in 

Mississippi, resulting in a dense understory of hardwoods and shrubs that prevent sunlight from reaching 

the forest floor, shading out food sources of the black pine snake. 

The majority of the Survey Corridor contains saturated (poorly drained) soil conditions and dense 

canopy. Open areas of the Survey Corridor are primarily pasture or transmission corridors with emergent 

wetlands. The black pine snake does have the potential to occur in the few upland areas of the Survey 

Corridor with sandy soil sand stands of long leaf pine and may have a broader range in during the dry 

season. Literature also states that the black pine snake may be found within stream or river corridors 

and near pitcher plant bogs, which were present within the Survey Corridor. While suitable habitat is 

present for the black pine snake, it is anticipated that a finding of may , but is not likely to adversely 

affect will be made for the Black Pine Snake. 

Red-Cockaded Woodpecker. About the size of the common cardinal, the red-cockaded woodpecker is 

approximately 7 inches long, with a wingspan of about 15 inches. Its back is barred with black and white 

horizontal stripes. The red-cockaded woodpecker's most distinguishing feature is a black cap and nape

that encircle large white cheek patches. Rarely visible, except perhaps during the breeding season and 

periods of territorial defense, the male has a small red streak on each side of its black cap called a 

cockade, hence its name. Female red-cockaded woodpeckers lack the red cockade. Juvenile males have 

a red 'patch' in the center of their black crown. This patch disappears during the fall of their first year at

which time their 'red- cockades' appear. 

The diet of red-cockaded woodpeckers consists mostly of insects in the egg, larvae, and adult stages. 

These include beetles, ants, roaches, spiders and other insects found in or on pine trees. Fruits and 

seeds makeup a small portion of the overall diet. Large, older trees are preferred for foraging. In general, 

males forage on the limbs and upper trunk while females forage on the trunk below the crown. 

The red-cockaded woodpecker makes its home in mature pine forests (60+ years old). Longleaf pines are 

most commonly preferred, but other species of southern pine are also acceptable. While other 

woodpeckers bore out cavities in dead trees where the wood is rotten and soft, the red-cockaded 

woodpecker is the only one that excavates cavities exclusively in living pine trees. Cavities are excavated 

in mature pines, generally over 80 years old. The older pines favored by the red-cockaded woodpecker 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-17

often suffer from a fungus called red heart disease, which attacks the center of the trunk, causing the 

inner wood, the heartwood, to become soft. Cavity excavation takes from one to six years. 

In Mississippi, the red-cockaded woodpecker mainly occurs in the southern two-thirds of the state. It 

has not been found in the Delta and only sporadically occurs in northern counties. Although listed and

protected in Hancock County, Mississippi, given the coastal region surrounding the Survey Corridor, the

current land use and silviculture practices, and lack of mature undisturbed pine stands (longleaf and 

slash pine) make it unlikely that the red-cockaded woodpecker would nest within the Survey Corridor. 

While some suitable foraging habitat may be present within the Survey Corridor, this habitat is unlikely 

to be used by red cockaded woodpecker because of the low probability of suitable nesting habitat 

occurring within 0.5 miles of the Survey Corridor. Thus, impacts to potential suitable foraging habitat are 

not expected to impact this species. It is anticipated that a finding of may affect, but is not likely to 

adversely affect will be made for the red-cockaded woodpecker.

Wood Stork. Wood storks are large, long-legged wading birds, about 50 inches tall, with a wingspan of 60 

to 65 inches. The plumage is white except for black primaries and secondaries, and a short black tail. The 

head and neck are largely unfeathered and dark gray in color. The bill is black, thick at the base, and

slightly decurved. Immature birds are dingy gray and have a yellowish bill.

Nesting has been restricted to Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina; however, they may have formerly

bred in most of the southeastern United States and Texas. A second distinct, non-endangered population

of wood storks breeds from Mexico to northern Argentina. 

Wood storks fromboth populationsmove northward after breeding, with birdsfrom the southeastern 

United States population moving asfar north as North Carolina on the Atlantic Coast and into Alabama

and eastern Mississippi along the Gulf Coast, and storks from Mexico moving up into Texas and 

Louisiana and as far north as Arkansas and Tennessee along the Mississippi River Valley. Occasional 

sightings are known from all states along and east of the Mississippi River, and sporadic sightings in 

some states west of the Mississippi and in Ontario, Canada. 

Storks are birds of freshwater and estuarine wetlands, including ponds, bayheads, flooded pastures, 

oxbow lakes, and ditches. They nest primarily in cypress or mangrove swamps. They feed in freshwater 

marshes, narrow tidal creeks, or flooded tidal pools. Particularly attractive feeding sites are depressions 

in marshes or swamps where fish become concentrated during periods of falling water levels. 

The wood stork is listed as an endangered species by USFWS in only Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South 

Carolina because at the time of listing, that was the range of the U.S. breeding population. Birds from 

Mexican and Guatemalan breeding populations can be found in the U.S. as well, but these birds are not 

considered endangered. It is assumed birds found in Mississippi came from the non-listed population.

In Mississippi, storks are found on the western edge of the state in those areas bordering the Mississippi 

River. Nesting wood storks have not been confirmed in Mississippi, although a report of possible nesting 

was made along the Mississippi River north of Vicksburg. Although storks are not known to nest in 

Mississippi, the forested wetland habitat, freshwater streams, and location of the Study Area may 

provide suitable stopover and foraging habitat. It is anticipated that a finding of may affect, but is not 

likely to adversely affect will be made for the wood stork. 
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-18

Florida Panther. The Florida panther is tawny, brown on the back and pale gray underneath. It is one of 

32 Puma concolor subspecies known by many names – puma, cougar, mountain lion, painter, catamount 

and panther. Panthers historically ranged across the southeastern United States including Arkansas, 

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and parts of Tennessee and South Carolina. Currently, 

the breeding population of Florida panthers is found only in the southern tip of Florida, south of the 

Caloosahatchee River. In recent years, young male panthers have traveled north into central and 

northeast Florida, and one even dispersed to west-central Georgia near the Alabama border. Females do 

not roam as widely and none has been documented outside of south Florida in decades. 

Florida panthers are about 6 to 7 feet long – males are bigger than females. They are carnivores and

skilled at hunting white-tailed deer, feral hogs, raccoons, and other medium-sized mammals and 

reptiles. Florida panthers also stalk birds. 

Florida panthers utilize a diversity of warm climate habitats. They live in wetlands, swamps, upland

forests, and stands of saw palmetto. Panthers are wide-ranging, secretive, and occur at low densities. 

They require large, contiguous areas to meet their social, reproductive, and energetic needs. Panther 

habitat selection is related to prey availability. Dense understory vegetation provides some of the most 

important feeding, resting, and denning habitat for panthers. The historic range of the Florida panther

extended throughout the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana. Florida panthers live alone, unless a pair 

is mating or a female is raising cubs. Males roam much larger territories than the females. A male can 

occupy a territory over 200 to 250 square miles in size. 

The Florida panther probably once ranged over most of Mississippi. Unconfirmed reports of panthers in 

Mississippi over the past few years have been concentrated along the Mississippi River and along the 

lower Pearl River. No records could be located documenting the panther within the vicinity of the Survey 

Corridor. 

The corridor’s hardwood forested wetlands and swamp areas provide suitable habitat and food for the 

Florida panther, although it less frequently occurs in upland pine forests or pine savannahs. The lack of 

thick understory in most of the Survey Corridor is not suitable for denning. It is anticipated that a finding 

of may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect will be made for the Florida panther. 

Eastern Black Rail. The Eastern black rail is approximately 3.9 to 5.9 inches long with a wingspan of 8 to 

11 inches. Its overall color is generally pale to blackish-gray, with a small blackish bill and red eyes. 

Underparts are uniformly colored but are lighter on the chin and throat. The nape and upper back are 

chestnut. The remaining back, upper tail feathers, and wing flight feathers are dark gray to blackish with 

small white spots, sometimes with chestnut-brown. The lower abdomen, under tail feathers, and flanks 

are streaked with black and white and dark gray barring with chestnut. Eastern black rail chicks are 

covered in black down with an oily greenish sheen and have dark brownish-olive eyes when hatched. 

Young are similar to adults, but their plumage is not as dark and has fewer and whiter spots. The eyes of 

juvenile black rails get lighter with age, changing from dark brownish-olive to eventually changing to red 

by about 3 months.14 

14 USFWS. 2018a. Eastern black rail, LATERALLUS JAMAICENSIS JAMAICENSIS. https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/birds/eastern-blackrail/#laterallus-jamaicensis-jamaicensis-section; accessed 10/5/2018.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-19

The diet of the Eastern black rail is somewhat unknown. It is thought that they are probably 

opportunistic feeders. Specimens collected indicate they have a diet comprised of small aquatic 

invertebrates, small terrestrial invertebrates, and small seeds. Foraging probably takes place on or near 

the edges of emergent vegetation, above and below the high-water line.15

In the region of the proposed project, preferred habitat for the Eastern black rail is typically salt and 

brackish marshes with dense cover. Variable tidal height and volume contribute to differences in salt 

marsh cover plants of Eastern black rail habitat. Along portions of the Gulf Coast, Eastern black rails can 

occur in higher elevation wetland zones that include shrubby vegetation. Impounded and unimpounded 

intermediate marshes (marshes closer to high elevation areas) also provide habitat for Eastern black 

rails.16 

The preferred habitats of salt and brackish marshes with dense cover do not occur within the Survey 

Corridor. The proposed listing of the Eastern black rail includes a current range map that lists the project 

area as within the “potential” range for the Eastern black rail. However, between 2010 and 2017, no 

identifications of Eastern black rails for the state of Mississippi were recorded.17 Thus, impacts to 

potential suitable foraging habitat are not expected to impact this species. It is anticipated that a finding 

of “no effect” would be made for the Eastern black rail.

5.14.2.1 Birds of Conservation Concern 

USFWS Migratory BCC are species that represent the highest conservation priorities of USFWS beyond 

those currently designated as threatened or endangered.18,19 The 24 BCC species with the potential to 

occur in the project specific Survey Corridor are listed in Table 5.12 below. Of the 24 BCC species 

listed by USFWS, 12 have potential habitat present in the Survey Corridor. 

15 ibid

16 ibid

17 USFWS. 2018a. Eastern black rail, LATERALLUS JAMAICENSIS JAMAICENSIS. https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/birds/eastern-blackrail/#laterallus-jamaicensis-jamaicensis-section; accessed 10/5/2018.

18 USFWS. 2018b. IPaC for Hancock County, MS, Pearl River County, MS, and the Port Bienville Survey Corridor. https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/; 

accessed 11/27/2018.

19 USFWS. 2008. Birds of Conservation Concern. United States Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird 

Management, Arlington, Virginia. 85pp. www.fws.gov/migratorybirds; accessed 2/5/2019.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-20

Table 5.12 USFWS Migratory BCC at the Port Bienville Project Site Corridor

Common Name Scientific Name Potential Habitat Present?1 Anticipated 

EffectDetermination1

American kestrel Falco sparverius paulus Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Black skimmer Rynchops niger No No effect

Cerulean warbler Dendroica cerulea Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Clapper rail Rallus crepitans Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Common ground-dove Columbina passerina exigua Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Dunlin Calidris alpina arcticola No No effect

Gull-billed tern Gelochelidon nilotica No No effect

Henslow's sparrow Ammodramus henslowii No No effect

Kentucky warbler Oporornis formosus Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

King rail Rallus elegans Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term 

Le Conte's Sparrow Ammodramus leconteii Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Least tern Sternula antillarum No No effect

Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa avipes No No effect

Nelson's Sparrow Ammodramus nelsoni No No effect

Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor No No effect

Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Red-headed Woodpecker Melanerpes erythrocephalus Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Rusty Blackbird Euphagus carolinus No No effect

Seaside Sparrow Ammodramus maritimus Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus No No effect

Swallow-tailed Kite Elanoides forcatus Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Willet Tringa semipalmata No No effect

Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina Yes Temporary minor, no 

effect long-term

Source: USFWS.2018b. IPaC for Hancock County, MS, Pearl River County, MS and the Port Bienville Survey Corridor. https://ecos.fws.gov/ipac/; 

accessed 11/27/ 2018.

1 Based on habitat requirements listed by All About Birds in concert with checking the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology eBird Database (2019) for 

Port Bienville.
PORT BIENVILLE COMBINED FEIS AND ROD

G-21

ͷǤͳͶǤͷǤȀ

No-Build Alternative. Since the No-Build Alternative would leave the existing Port Bienville Railroad in 

its current configuration without a north-south connection to the NS rail and does not include the 

construction of any new railroad features, it would have no impacts to BCC species. 

Build Alternative. The most likely impacts to the BCC species within the proposed right-of-way would be 

from construction and clearing activities for the new rail line. Construction activities would result in the 

loss of wildlife habitat, including habitat for BCC species, within the right-of-way limits. However, the 

right-of-way corridor would be relatively small in relation to the surrounding habitat for BCC species. 

The new rail corridor is not anticipated to create a barrier that fragments BCC habitat. During final 

design the Project would be evaluated to see if incorporating specific design features would enhance 

wildlife crossings along the Project and thereby minimize the impacts from habitat fragmentation. 

Effects to wildlife would occur during vegetation removal and disturbance during construction. Grading 

and construction of the new track would permanently convert wetland habitat within the right-of-way 

and clearing of pine and hardwood trees would result in loss of habitat for wildlife including BCC species 

in the area. Since BCC species are mobile, they have the capability to avoid areas of construction and 

travel to other undisturbed areas surrounding the corridor. 

Existing vegetation communities provide habitat for BCC species. Construction activities could cause 

temporary displacement or stress in local BCC species. Potential effects on BCC species would be shortterm because construction disturbance would be temporary. 

The future Project Sponsor would be responsible for implementation of minimization and mitigation 

measures for vegetation and wildlife, including BCC species. Mitigation measures and restoration of 

disturbed areas would reduce effects to wildlife, including BCC species. BMPs would be used to the 

extent practicable to further reduce the impact to wildlife and habitat. Vegetation clearing for 

construction activities would be planned outside of the migratory bird breeding season. In addition, 

areas disturbed for stockpiling materials or equipment staging yards would be placed in uplands, where 

possible, and restored to preconstruction elevations and reseeded with native species to re-establish 

the vegetation community. During construction, sediment run-off would be controlled near streams 

through the use of silt fencing and other methods to reduce turbidity and any potential effects to 

aquatic species. All these measures would help limit potential impacts to BCC species.